Peacemaking When Bombs are Falling

Author: Mark Fenstermacher
March 18, 2022

I found myself worrying about you last night. After enduring the challenges and uncertainty of COVID, after holding on through a political season that pulled friendships, families, and churches apart, now we are exposed to the images and stories coming to us every day as Russia continues its brutal invasion of Ukraine. After listening to the news, I crawled into bed and began worrying about you: how are you doing? How are you handling the spiritual, psychological, and emotional toll of this daily barrage of violent and disturbing images?

As I write to you I thought I would share several ways followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, might keep going with their faith intact during these difficult days:

First, when people ask us why God allows this kind of suffering, I work to gently correct them: the terror of war isn’t God’s doing but it is another manifestation of the sin in the hearts of humanity. God gave us holy texts that talk about welcoming the stranger and feeding the hungry, binding up the wounds of God’s people. God sent us prophets who spoke to us about God’s desire for peace. The prophet talks about people beating their swords into plows and “learning war no more.” The Son of God came to live with us on this earth, and went to a cross refusing to take up the sword. No, the misery in Ukraine (and Yemen and Central America and Syria and…) is our doing and not God’s fault.

Second, I would encourage you to let daily prayer be a special emphasis not only during Lent but during these days when we see these terrible images and hear these heart-rending stories of injustice and violence against the innocents. If I do not spend time in prayer, re-centering myself in God, then the news from the front spins me downwards. It is a good thing to remember who God is, to share our hurts and hopes with the Lord, and listen for his message to us today. Do not try and endure all of this on your own but turn to God. (Also, pray for the people of Ukraine as well as those Russians who are either suffering as conscripts in a brutal conflict or who will suffer as economic sanctions turn their lives upside-down.)

Third, be a helper. During times of great need and tragedy, Mr. Rogers said, look for the helpers. Don’t remain passive. Turn your anger and dismay at the violence being unleashed on innocent cities, towns, families, schools, and hospitals by giving to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Give to Advance Project #982450 whose funds (100% of them) are being used to help Ukrainians. You can make a check out to the church and note that it is for UMCOR-Ukraine OR give securely online. 

Fourth, be a peacemaker where you are. Here in DeKalb, Allen, and Steuben counties. In your family. In your workplace. Be self-aware of the words you choose, the way you listen, your behavior at school athletic contests, and the way you drive. Refuse the temptation to demonize those who think differently than you when it comes to politics or religion.  Do what you can to bring peace where there is unhealthy, destructive conflict. Do what you can to reduce hostility, counter hate, and eliminate fear.

Psalm 86:15 talks about God being “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Try moving through your day as someone who is merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Paul, in 1st Corinthians, reminds us that love is patient, love is kind, and love does not insist on its own way.

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As we pray for a quick end to the hostilities in Ukraine, and look forward to the ways we can help those brave people rebuild, hang in there. Center yourself in God. Be a peacemaker. Look for ways to help. And know your pastors think about you, pray about you, and worry about you during these days when the images we see are so vivid and soul-piercing. 

Come, Lord teach Jesus. Help us unlearn the art of war and grow in the ways of peacemaking.

In Christ,
Pastor Mark

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